Texas State. It may be the little name in a BIG state, but it certainly gets the job done! Happy the Pac 12 lives on! Proud of OSU and WSU for leading their schools out of obscurity. Honestly, it shows how great both institutions are to deal with the crap hand that was dealt to them!!! GO BEAVS!!!
Now, the Pac-12 marketing folks need to go out and secure a major sponsorship deal with "State" Farm Insurance or "AllState" Insurance for the 2026 football season.
“P” status is an unofficial media colloquialism that has no real meaning in the eyes of the NCAA
Autonomy status was removed from the Pac-12 as of last August and as of this August when NCAA division 1 approves their new governance structure, autonomy status will be an outdated and meaningless relic of a past era of governance.
The new structure gives the SEC, B1G, ACC, and B12 65% voting control over all NCAA division 1 committees and subcommittees. The NewPAC will have the same voting power as the other FBS leagues (SUN, AAC, MWC, CUSA, and MAC)
I was a student when it was the PAC8. The PAC 12 brand stays with 8/9 regardless of how many it has, just like the big 10 with 18 or the big 12 with 16.
Well in the case of the latter, at least they have member numbers that meet the minimum in the conference name. 9 in 12, not so much.
Seriously, long term it will be interesting to observe if the name sticks. It was a practical financial decision to retain the name as long as current contracts are in force. OSU/WSU were not going to risk losing Rose Bowl revenue from its contract with the Pac12. It was worth $50M per year thru the 2026 game.
Would be interesting to know if OSU/WSU will split that with the other 6 football schools...my guess is no because they don't join until after the 1-1-26 game is over.
Advent eventually like a return to the name Pacific Coast Conference, that way you're not always dealing with numbers like having 18 teams here League in calling it 10 period
I’m a Duck fan and am feeling happy for the Beavs and Cougs right now. Kudos to those two schools for taking a hit and then fighting back to keep the PAC and build a new conference. I will be rooting for both of them and for this new PAC to be successful. Well done Beavs and Cougs!
The State School Conference (plus single-sport 'friends of the states.') Like the sound of it. Scrappy, punch-above-their-weight institutions - both in sports and academics. Spread out a bit, but the flight to the Hill Country of TXST only an hour more than say New Mexico. Really quite amazing what the Beavers and Cougs have accomplished after being left to save the PAC-12 on their own. This is the working person's conference, full of striving, underestimated underdogs, and heck that's a brand I think many can rally behind. Go PAC-12!
I was kind of thinking the same thing. No doubt this is a step down for OSU and WSU from the old PAC-12, but once you get past and accept that I think this new league is actually a better fit for those schools.
Well, we took that step back almost two years ago, been moving forward ever since. I can't believe I agree with Doug (;-) but this is going to be a fun, competitive league.
And we don't have to go to New Jersey, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana or Ohio.
It seems the PAC 12 is destined to be mostly State schools with the addition of TSU? Not a bad thing, Gonzaga broke that! I was thinking about the cost of not having 9 conference games. Is there a scheduling alliance that could fill in some of the other games.
The league of STATES! I love this move and I think the connection to Texas will, in the long run, be a boon to building the PAC 12 into a real contender. I envision some day, some of the schools that left the PAC will decide it's time to come home. If not, it will be because football has merged into one giant league like the NFL with regional divisions. Congrats to WSU and OSU for sticking to a plan and not allowing the bitter break up to ruin their future!!
The Pac12 welcomes Texas State! We can breathe a little easier now. I like the addition. Texas St is an emerging program with a prime football footprint.
Hope this will be viewed as two gritty universities refusing to quit under adverse circumstances and rebuilding a storied conference with schools that WANT to be here! Having CBS and (hopefully) ESPN "on our side" may help shape the narrative. MAJOR congratulations to the schools, their leadership, Commissioner Gould, and all our fans in these nations that made this happen!!
I currently have family down in San Antonio and Austin. Throughout any given year, I average about 2-3 trips down there. As a Wazzu fan, I can't wait to add San Marcos onto my itinerary for Cougar away games as TXST is literally situated in-between those two cities. It'll be fun and exciting. Plus, Hill Country is a can't miss!
Yep, fly to San Antonio, stay Friday night and enjoy the Riverwalk atmosphere (San Antonio is one of the cleanest cities in America) and then drive to San Marcos and stay a night there...GREAT TRIP!
Texas State road games every other year for some fun football and great music!
PAC 12 Conference needs to make sure the they rotate the schedule so the visiting PAC schools all get their shot in San Marcos the first two weeks October.
The Austin City Limits Music Festival first two weeks in October.
San Marcos slightly off mid-way in the 80 miles between Austin and San Antonio. Former OSU coach Mike Riley has a long-time home near New Braunfels about 20 miles from the TXST stadium.
Both cities have much to offer for visitors. I think it will be a great place to visit for sportswriters too. And, Texas always creates great football stories.
I like this move. IMO it strengthens the conference on both the academic and athletic fronts. Additionally, San Marcos is a great area of Texas for visitors, it’s hard to beat a Fall drive through the Hill Country.
Now add Saint Mary's for all of the non-football sports so that the Pac-12 can have an even 10 teams playing basketball and a Bay Area presence in the conference. Then pedal to the metal, but add the Moraga school, don't choose to be too timid now.
It's the best addition, now we need to add UTSA and you will have some of the Top Blue Collar Chip on their Shoulder programs in all of NCAA athletics. I like the make up of this conference. If life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, but the conference put together a Lynchburg Lemonade. Cheers everyone...onward and upward!
Texas State. It may be the little name in a BIG state, but it certainly gets the job done! Happy the Pac 12 lives on! Proud of OSU and WSU for leading their schools out of obscurity. Honestly, it shows how great both institutions are to deal with the crap hand that was dealt to them!!! GO BEAVS!!!
Well said!
1000%!
The most important detail being the ‘State’ in Texas State. The football playing members if you’re scoring at home:
Washington State
Oregon State
Boise State
Colorado State
Fresno State
San Diego State
Utah State
Texas State
Now, the Pac-12 marketing folks need to go out and secure a major sponsorship deal with "State" Farm Insurance or "AllState" Insurance for the 2026 football season.
Gonzaga, St. Mary's and UTSA and call it good...not only the Best of the West for G5, but also gives it the potential for P5 status.
There is no potential for P5 status
Speaking of P5 status, will the colluding P4 allow such a thing?
“P” status is an unofficial media colloquialism that has no real meaning in the eyes of the NCAA
Autonomy status was removed from the Pac-12 as of last August and as of this August when NCAA division 1 approves their new governance structure, autonomy status will be an outdated and meaningless relic of a past era of governance.
The new structure gives the SEC, B1G, ACC, and B12 65% voting control over all NCAA division 1 committees and subcommittees. The NewPAC will have the same voting power as the other FBS leagues (SUN, AAC, MWC, CUSA, and MAC)
Gonzaga might want to review their Membership Agreement and make sure that a name change isn't required.
With Gonzaga breaking that mold. Will the “State” label be a detriment or a benefit.?
Well, calling it the Pac12 was always a state of mind.
I was a student when it was the PAC8. The PAC 12 brand stays with 8/9 regardless of how many it has, just like the big 10 with 18 or the big 12 with 16.
I was a student when it was the Pacific Coast Conference.
Well in the case of the latter, at least they have member numbers that meet the minimum in the conference name. 9 in 12, not so much.
Seriously, long term it will be interesting to observe if the name sticks. It was a practical financial decision to retain the name as long as current contracts are in force. OSU/WSU were not going to risk losing Rose Bowl revenue from its contract with the Pac12. It was worth $50M per year thru the 2026 game.
Would be interesting to know if OSU/WSU will split that with the other 6 football schools...my guess is no because they don't join until after the 1-1-26 game is over.
Another bitter beer face take from dyed in the wool antagonist.
I am good with PAC-X, if that is the way leadership wants to go. Or alternately "The Pack", which sounds nicely aggressive
I wonder if they change to the PAC-X or PAC, after the current contracts expire what happens to the PAC-12 Brand intellectual properties etc.?
Advent eventually like a return to the name Pacific Coast Conference, that way you're not always dealing with numbers like having 18 teams here League in calling it 10 period
Probably not good long-term but a suggestion I saw: Pac Steight. Doesn't work for Gonzaga or St Mary's I suppose.
Keep urinating on someone else's parade instead of MYOB.
It doesn't matter at all.
Looks like The State of the State to me.
I’m a Duck fan and am feeling happy for the Beavs and Cougs right now. Kudos to those two schools for taking a hit and then fighting back to keep the PAC and build a new conference. I will be rooting for both of them and for this new PAC to be successful. Well done Beavs and Cougs!
Rooting for the Ducks and Huskies as well. The Cali schools can go to hell.
As to the former, that's a bridge too far. WRT the latter, "Satan, turn the heat up in the lake of fire to lava hot".
The State School Conference (plus single-sport 'friends of the states.') Like the sound of it. Scrappy, punch-above-their-weight institutions - both in sports and academics. Spread out a bit, but the flight to the Hill Country of TXST only an hour more than say New Mexico. Really quite amazing what the Beavers and Cougs have accomplished after being left to save the PAC-12 on their own. This is the working person's conference, full of striving, underestimated underdogs, and heck that's a brand I think many can rally behind. Go PAC-12!
I was kind of thinking the same thing. No doubt this is a step down for OSU and WSU from the old PAC-12, but once you get past and accept that I think this new league is actually a better fit for those schools.
It’s a great fit for OSU and WSU. Gonna be a fun league
Well, we took that step back almost two years ago, been moving forward ever since. I can't believe I agree with Doug (;-) but this is going to be a fun, competitive league.
And we don't have to go to New Jersey, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana or Ohio.
“How many frogs did the Pac-12 eat in the last two years?”
John, you forgot to say, “discuss.”
Missed an opportunity. Discuss.
😎
Tastes like chicken.
It seems the PAC 12 is destined to be mostly State schools with the addition of TSU? Not a bad thing, Gonzaga broke that! I was thinking about the cost of not having 9 conference games. Is there a scheduling alliance that could fill in some of the other games.
Like Penn State and Florida State or Mississippi State...and Ohio State. Not bad company.
TSU is a different school. Texas State is TXST.
That is a good point.
The league of STATES! I love this move and I think the connection to Texas will, in the long run, be a boon to building the PAC 12 into a real contender. I envision some day, some of the schools that left the PAC will decide it's time to come home. If not, it will be because football has merged into one giant league like the NFL with regional divisions. Congrats to WSU and OSU for sticking to a plan and not allowing the bitter break up to ruin their future!!
The Pac12 welcomes Texas State! We can breathe a little easier now. I like the addition. Texas St is an emerging program with a prime football footprint.
TSU is a different school. Texas State is TXST.
ROLMAO!
You'd be in great shape if the conference's competition was the Big Sky.
Hope this will be viewed as two gritty universities refusing to quit under adverse circumstances and rebuilding a storied conference with schools that WANT to be here! Having CBS and (hopefully) ESPN "on our side" may help shape the narrative. MAJOR congratulations to the schools, their leadership, Commissioner Gould, and all our fans in these nations that made this happen!!
I currently have family down in San Antonio and Austin. Throughout any given year, I average about 2-3 trips down there. As a Wazzu fan, I can't wait to add San Marcos onto my itinerary for Cougar away games as TXST is literally situated in-between those two cities. It'll be fun and exciting. Plus, Hill Country is a can't miss!
Yep, fly to San Antonio, stay Friday night and enjoy the Riverwalk atmosphere (San Antonio is one of the cleanest cities in America) and then drive to San Marcos and stay a night there...GREAT TRIP!
Texas State road games every other year for some fun football and great music!
PAC 12 Conference needs to make sure the they rotate the schedule so the visiting PAC schools all get their shot in San Marcos the first two weeks October.
The Austin City Limits Music Festival first two weeks in October.
This years lineup:
https://www.aclfestival.com/
San Marcos slightly off mid-way in the 80 miles between Austin and San Antonio. Former OSU coach Mike Riley has a long-time home near New Braunfels about 20 miles from the TXST stadium.
Both cities have much to offer for visitors. I think it will be a great place to visit for sportswriters too. And, Texas always creates great football stories.
You have been on top of PAC 12 development from the start. Excellent job great writing. Keep it coming!
Works for me! Let’s get this thing settled! Go Cougs and Beavs!
I like this move. IMO it strengthens the conference on both the academic and athletic fronts. Additionally, San Marcos is a great area of Texas for visitors, it’s hard to beat a Fall drive through the Hill Country.
Less humid as well.
Now getting TCU to join, that would need a platter! And a few forks. 😏 Ok, Texas State will do.
Now add Saint Mary's for all of the non-football sports so that the Pac-12 can have an even 10 teams playing basketball and a Bay Area presence in the conference. Then pedal to the metal, but add the Moraga school, don't choose to be too timid now.
It's the best addition, now we need to add UTSA and you will have some of the Top Blue Collar Chip on their Shoulder programs in all of NCAA athletics. I like the make up of this conference. If life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, but the conference put together a Lynchburg Lemonade. Cheers everyone...onward and upward!
"Pac12: The Blue-Collar Chip on Your Shoulder Conference!" Love it!